Best Practices – WSC

Practice
WSC has a good system to gather information for tracking Progress Notes. WSC has created a Monthly Progress Notes Form that has different sections. The form has a section with all Personal Outcome Measures to point which POM was addressed at the moment. It has an area where it describes what was discussed and the date. The Monthly Progress Notes Form also goes over what type of contact was made at the time and it takes you to a who, when why, what, where and what’s next in a brief, concise and directly to the point manner.

Who Benefits? How?
Everybody. Progress notes makes a clear picture of what happened and what was done to better communication between providers and Area Office.

• Monthly Progress Notes Tool [doc]

Practice
The WSC has developed a system to track health and safety. The tool is broken down into health issues, preventive screening, mental health issues behavioral issues and hospitalization. Also the tool stress about safety key issues.

Who Benefits? How?
Everybody. It helps WSC, individuals and family to keep track of health and safety information.

• Health & Safety Tracking Tool [doc]

Practice
The WSC agency adds labels to service authorizations. These labels indicate to the provider what documentation is required for each service for billing as well as what documentation needs to be sent to the WSC. The labels reference the page number from the Medicaid Waiver Coverage and Limitations Handbook.

Who Benefits? All benefit
How? This enhances collaboration and gives providers a resource to go to within the Medicaid Waiver Handbook as well as a one stop shop on the service authorization for details.

Practice
The WSC has a good system getting natural resources for individuals served. WSC networks with different agencies and foundations to get equipments and other needed supplies for individuals. The following resources have been donated: Customized Wheelchair and foot rest from a home care agency and food, clothing and bedding for individual’s room. For Christmas WSC has been able to get a Christmas tree, toys and food. Make a Wish Foundation has fulfilled a dream trip to Child’s Place in Orlando. A program called Christmas in July has painted the bedroom of an individual and built wheelchair ramp. Additional resources secured include free room air conditioners and a hair stylist in the community to fix individuals hair and make up for special occasions.

Who Benefits? All benefit
How? Individuals and family benefit since funding has become increasingly limited.

Practice
A Medical Appointment Tracking tool is completed at onset of consumer services and updated during visits and as needed. It has all consumers names , all physicians including specialists that they need to be seen by, and procedures to be done (ie. blood work, diagnostics) on the left side of page and months of the year across the top. Scheduled dates/target times for follow up information is noted under correct month.

Who Benefits? All benefit
How? Consumers and circles of support benefit because this allows WSC to be able to be proactive and remind everyone of upcoming procedures or doctor appointments. It facilitates follow-up where an appointment was missed or changed and assures all needed medical test/procedures are done during the year.

Practice
Due to geographical limitations there is a shortage of providers. The Agency has developed a process to include local community businesses to partner with consumers and their supports to develop entrepreneurial opportunities. The Agency is using their limitation as a plus by facilitating consumer visits and facilitating opportunities for consumers to spend time in or volunteer at local businesses. VR has successfully been included to fund some of the process.

Who Benefits? All benefit
How? Several consumers participate with local businesses. So far the biggest success stories are one gentlemen who now has a small part in a local radio show, and another gentleman who has his own recycling company.

Practice
WSC has created a comprehensive form for the support plan meeting. On the form, the WSC documents the needs, desires, and expectations of the person receiving services as discussed during the meeting. Clear information from the meeting, is given to individuals, providers, family, and WSC as they leave the support plan meeting. This form can be used as an example of planning a support plan meeting as well as follow-up after the support plan meeting. Because it is distributed to the individual’s circle of supports, the momentum from the meeting is sustained. Participants know what the person’s goals and expectations are and can begin to work on them immediately after the meeting. It is an easy one page glimpse of the needed information to act upon from the support plan meeting to best apply services and supports. This applies to evaluating the effectiveness of services. This is a form that is visual and intended to assist by maintaining the flow of the support plan meeting.

Who Benefits?
How? The Person, Supports, Providers, and individuals benefit from having a document from the meeting and information on what needs to be followed up on to begin implementation of requested goals. This form provides information for development and delivery of supports toward goals drives the providers to begin working toward the person’s identified outcomes. It serves as an example for others to build upon and create forms or systems.

Practice
WSC (support coordinator) has created an individual binder book for each person interviewed. She has individualized this training booklet. WSC has included signature pages so that different providers or supports may utilize this as a means of training for individuals. The booklet contains information, age appropriate and individual needs. Some of the information in the binder includes Nutrition needs, preventative health guidelines, information on aids, and information on STD’s, mammogram, self breast and testicular information. She is working on obtaining information from the American Cancer Society, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Diabetes foundation, and many organizations.

Who Benefits?
How? The Person, Supports, and Providers benefit from having readily available information to assist people served.

Practice
When an individual interviews a provider for a service, the Waiver Support Coordinator takes a picture of the provider with a Polaroid and writes the provider’s name on the picture. After the interviews are completed the Waiver Support Coordinator then places the pictures in front of the individual, which reminds them of each provider they interviewed. This assists individuals in making a choice of service providers. The individual utilizes their native tongue or gestures to communicate their selection.

Who Benefits? Individuals
How? The individual benefits from a clear choice which can be communicated to everyone. It ensures their participation in their service provision. This practice is good for a support coordinator in assisting individuals served, particularly people who communicate in ways other than words.

Practice
Helpful information is available with pictures for individuals with no reading skills on this website: Breastcancer.org.  Pictures can be downloaded. It is a good prevention tool. People can Click on that website until they find “The five steps of a breast self exam.”

Who Benefits? Individuals
How? Individuals with no reading skills who may understand pictures better.